Filibuster Definition
fĭlə-bŭstər
filibustered, filibustering, filibusters
noun
filibusters
The obstructing or delaying of legislative action, especially by prolonged speechmaking.
American Heritage
An adventurer who engages in unauthorized warfare against a country with which his own country is at peace; specif., any of the 19th-cent. U.S. adventurers who led armed expeditions into Latin American countries; freebooter.
Webster's New World
An instance of this, especially a prolonged speech.
American Heritage
The making of long speeches, introduction of irrelevant issues, etc. in order to obstruct the passage of a bill in the Senate.
Webster's New World
A member of the Senate who uses such methods.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- outspeak
- frustrater
- filibusterer
- tirade
- talkathon
- orate
- adventurer
- opposition
- delay
- stonewalling
- long-windedness
- peroration
- holding the floor
- obstructionism
- obstruction to congressional action
Antonyms:
verb
filibustered, filibustering, filibusters
To obstruct or delay legislative action, especially by making prolonged speeches.
American Heritage
To engage in unauthorized warfare as a freebooter.
Webster's New World
To engage in a filibuster.
Webster's New World
To obstruct the passage of (a bill) by a filibuster.
Webster's New World
Origin of Filibuster
-
From Spanish filibustero (“pirate”), from French flibustier, from Dutch vrijbuiter (“freebooter”), from vrij (“free”) + buit (“booty”) + -er (“agent”). Same construction and cognate to English freebooter.
From Wiktionary
-
From Spanish filibustero freebooter from French flibustier from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate freebooter
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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